Brick-press.



M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED 05c. I0. 1914.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

14 SHEETS-SHEET M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED 056.10. 19. 1,239,072. Patented Sept. 4,1917.

I4 SIIEETSSIIEET ZI Pay. 2.

M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK P3558. APPLICAHDN man no. 10. I914.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 4- awuewto z a m X 13 (um W1 M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK PRESS.

V APPLICATION FILED DEC. I0- IOH- 1,239,072. PatentedSept. 4,1917. I I4 SNEETS-SHEET 8- Fa' q J6.

M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. l0. I9I4. 1,239,072. Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

I4 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

I v I I wwwmeo 5 W00 Mom mwjw i.

M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10. 1914.

1,239,072 Patented Sept. 4; 1917.

14 SHEETS-SHEET H.

Pay. 26.

Fly. .33. Fly. 32 Fly 36:

29a l 2.98 7 29a lmvcmwoeo 5] mm Mom M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATlON man mac. :0. 1914.

1,239,072. Patented Sept. 4,1917.

H SHEETS-SHEET I2.

Pay. 28.

M. H. AVRAM.

BRICK PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10. m4.

1 239,072. Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

14 SHEETSSHEET 13.

Fay. 2.9.

262 r m-"QI 261 g UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MoI's H. AvnAM, on NEW Y CRK, N. Y-, asslenoa TO STANDARD SILICA BRICK MACHINERY COMPANY, or WILM NGTC DELAWARE.

RICK-Passe. N

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

Application filed December 10, 1,914. Serial No; 876,580.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Mois H. AvRA a citizen of the United States,residing at l lew York city, County and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brick-Presses, of which the ollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved machine or press for manufacturing bricks which is more particularly adapted for carrying out the method of making artificial stone described in a copendin application, filed by me April 5th, 1909, un er Serial No. 487,920. The main feature of this method consists in separating from a previously pre ared dry mixture of various ingredients, S1101 partial quantities as are just suflicient for the production of single bricks. For this purpose, my improved machineis provided with a, suitable number of. measuring or weighing devices, the number of which corresponds to that of the molds in which compression takes place. Each of these measuring devices separates automatically from the bulk of the drymixture, a quantity which is just suflicient for making a single brick or block. After this separated quantity has been discharged from the measuring device, it is conveyed to a miniature mixer, in which moisture is added to the material, preferabl in the form of hot water or steam.; lhe plastic mass thus formed is then introduced .into a suitable mold, in which it is pressed into the shape desired. j

A further object of my invention is to effect high compression of the, material in a short time and to permit theescape of the inclosed air, so as to produce a dense brick of great mechanical resistance. If air is permitted to remain within the finished product the latter will show cracks running through the same, or even if cracks will not show, tests will readily prove the Weakness of such blocks. In order to produce dense blocks of great resistability, I apply to'tlie plastic mass a preliminary comparatively low mechanical pressure and a subsequent comparativel high hydraulicv pressure, as will hereina ter be more fully described,

My invention also comprises certain other novel features of constructiomas are ore fully pointed out in the following specification and claims, r'eferencebein had to the accompanying drawings, in wich:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved press comprising three mold-units, with the hydraulic device and some of the other parts omitted;

' Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, with some of the parts omitted;

ig. 3 a vertical cross section on line 3-3, Fig. 1, showing the receiving frame in position; Fig. 4 an enlarged vertical section on line H, Fig. 2;

F 1g. 5 a horizontal section on line 5-5, Fig. 4; Fig. 5 a detail of the bottom plate of one of the mixers;

Fig. 6 a front view of the measuring device and adjoining parts; i

Fig. 7 a horizontal section on line 77,

Fig. 8 a side. view of a frame for supporting the up er slide;

Fig. 9 a simiar view of a frame for supporting the lower slide;

Fig. 10 a front View of the means for controlling the moisture supply and for actuating the mold discharge gates;

Fig. 11 a plan view of Fig. 10, with some of the parts omitted;

Fig. 12 a detaiihof the cam controlling the moisturesuppdv; j

FigQ 13 an en view of the regulator p P i 4 a g. 14 an enlarged vertical; section through one set of plungers and adjoining parts;- j i Fig. 15 a vertical section on line 1515, Fig. 14; P j ig. 16a plan view, partly broken away, of one of the mold carriers and adjoining Pa fi iw i Fig lf a plan of the upper mold frame; Fig. 18 a vertical section on line 18-1;8, Fi -.1 1." v r Fig. 19 aplan of the upper mold, proper; Fig. 2 0, avertical sectionion line. 2020, F-i.1 9,;

.flgigi 21aplan, showing the assembled mold 'frame and mold;

FigZQQ a plan of the lower mold, showin its sections detaghed; j v

23 a' front view, partly section of one of the mold carriers, illustrating the means for reciprocating the same;

Fig. 24 a vertical section on line 24-24, Fig. 23;

Fig. $5 a vertical longitudinai section through one of the feed spirals and adjoining parts;

Fig. 2 6 a side view of one of the intermittent gears for actuating the toggle joints;

Fig. 27 a plan of oneof the frames supporting the mold carriers;

Fig. 28 a diagrammatic front view or the hydraulic device;

Fig. 299. plan view thereof;

Fig. 30" a left hand end view of said device;

Fig. 31 a detail of the mechanism for actuating the stea intensifier;

Fig. 32 a detai of the mechanism for actuating the hydraulic main valve.

Fig. 3'3 a perspective view of the contents of one mold before compression takes place.

Fig. 34 a perspective view of a partly compressedbrick, showing its shape after the preliminary compression, and Fig. 35 a; similar view of the completed brick.

The numeral 459' indicates the bed-plate of theunachine, which is supported upon a suitable" foundation 4]. provided with a pit 42 adapted for accommodating the lower parts of the machine. Within a suitable number of perforations of bed-plate, are received upright posts 43 arranged in a air ofparallel rows and rigidly secured to said plate collars 44 and nuts 45. Posts 43 are so spaced that between each pair of transversely alined posts, one mold-unit comprising four molds may be accommodated. The drawing shows three of such mold-units, but it is'obviousthat either less or more of said units maybe incorporated in one press.

Each mold-unit comprises a substantially recthhgular frame 46provided alongeach transversely flanged edge with a pair of semicircular recesses 47 which are adapted for the reception of posts 43. Frames 46 are firmly supgorted upon collars 48 carried by posts 4 and providedwith annular flanges 49 which embrace corresponding semi-annular lower flanges 50 of frame 46. At its upper side, frame 46 'is provided with semi annular recesses 51 adapted for the reception of the lower flanges 52 of clamping nuts 53.

ach' frame 46 has two pair of alined rectangular inner o enings 5 4 and two pair ofouter rectangu ar openingshii'alined' with the inner openings 54'. inn flopctfigs 54', having sloping wall sections .8 are egis'ed for conveying the'moistened cater r rem 65 the miniature mixers to the mova 1e hiwer molds, w is openings 55 are adapted for receiving he upper stationary molds, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

To the upper ends of posts 43 is secured by nuts 57, a sectional top frame 58, the several frame-sections resting upon ofi sets ps 59 of said posts. Within frame 58 are ormed a series of chutes 60 arranged in two parallel rows, each of said chutes being' vertically alinerl with one of the open ings 54. Chutes) are adapted for the con veyance of the dry ingredients used for forming the desired blocks. These ingredients are intimately mixed in predetermilied proportions in suitable mixers which are not shown and do not form part of the present invention. From these mixers the d'i material is fed through suitable chutes 61 into conveyer boxes 62, one of the said boxes being arranged verticallv above each row of chutes 60. Each box 62 cominunicates through corresponding openings 63 with chutes 60. as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 25. Within box 62 is rotatably mounted a spindle 64 driven from a power shaft 65 by a suitable chain 66, or otherwise. Spindle 64 is provided with a right hand spiral eonveyer 67 and left hand spiral conveyer 68 which distribute the dry mixed material evenly toward both ends of the box. If desired, spindle 64 may be provided with suitable beaters 69 to insure a thorough intermixture of the'material.

Chutes 60 communicate at their lower ends with boxes 60* containing suitable measuring or Weighing devices, each of said devices being adapted for separating such a quantity from the dry mixture as is just sufficient for forming a single brick.

The measuring device is shown to consist of an upper inlet slide 70 and a lower outlet slide .71 which are adapted to be pro- 'ected intoboxcs- 6.0". Slides 70 and 71 receive an intermittent reciprocative move ment in opposite directions, so that when slides 71 are projected into the chutes while slides 70 are withdrawn therefrom, the material descending from boxes 62 will fill the space above the slide 71. Slides 70 are then pfojected' into boxes 60, whereupon slides I are withdrawn to permit the discharge of the material previously defined between upper an lower slides into the miniature mixer hereinafter described.

In order to permit a ready regulation of the quantity of'the dry material thus discharged,.so as. to adapt the machine tovarioiis kinds and compositions of materials, the distalice between thelower and upper slides is made adjustable. For this purpose, each upperslide 70 passes through a comparatively large opening 72 of box 60". the safdopening being closed by a vertically adjustable plate 73'. Plate"73 is provided with a narrow horizontal slot 74 which is adapted for the accommodation of slide 70. The slides of each pair of transversely alined boxes 60 are secured to a U-shaped cross frame and secured by screws 76 to a pair of arms 77. said screws passing through vertical slots 78 of frame 75. Arms 7 7 are mounted upon a pair of parallel longitudinal shafts 79 guided in suitable bearings 80. In order to adjust the distance between the upper and lower slides, screws 76. as well as the screws securing plate 73 to box 60*. are loosened and after properly setting slides 70, thescrews are again tightened. The lower slides 71 of each pair of alined boxes 60 are carried by U-shaped cross frames 81 having eyes 82 which are secured to a pair of parallel shafts 83 guided within bearings 84 and arranged vertically below shafts 79.

In order to intermittently reciprocate shafts 79, together with slides 70, the right hand ends of said shafts are connected by a traverse 85 provided with a cam roller 86 which is received within a corresponding groove 87 of a cam disk 88. The latter is secured to an upright shaft 89 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 90 and receives motion in manner hereinafter described. In order to properly guide traverse 85 during its reciprocation it is provided with a pair of parallel extensions or arms 91 that straddle a squared block 92 loosely mounted upon shaft 89.

In like manner, lower shafts 83 are connected by a traverse 93 carrying a cam roller 91 that engages the groove 95 of a cam disk 96 secured to shaft 89, the traverse 93 form ing in all respects a duplicate of traverse 8.3. Grooves 87 and 95 are so cut that the traverses 85, 93, and consequently the slides 70. 71 receive an intermittent reciprocative movement in opposite directions, special care being taken that the lower slides begin their receding movement only after the upper slides have been fully projected into boxes 60*.

Each box 60" is provided with a lower tubular end section 97 which is loosely embraced by a rotary hopper 98 adapted for conveying the material into a miniature mixer 99. The latter is supported upon frame -16 by a suitable number of brackets 99*, and is closed at its top by a flanged cover 100. lVithin a central perforation of cover 100 is guided the lower tubular section 101 of hopper 98, (Fig. 4). Section 101 carries a suitable number of inclined mixing blades or arms 102 between which openings 103 are formed within section 101, said openings permitting the passage of the dry material from hopper 98 into mixer 99. Each hopper 98 receives rotary motion by means of a beveled gear wheel 101 sooured thereto and engaging a similar gear wheel 105 mounted upon a transverse shaft 106 which is journaled in a suitable bearing 107: To shaft 106 is secured a skew spur wheel 108 meshing into as'imilar wheel 109 which is keyed to a longitudinal shaft 110. The latter receives continuous rotary motion from a pulley 111, or in any other suitable manner.

While the mixed dry ingredients sufficient for molding one block are discharged from each hopper 98 into the cotiperating mixer 99, the necessary amount of moisture, which has been ascertained by previous tests, is added thereto, said moisture being preferably added in the form of steam or hot water, The moisture is admitted through a pipe 112 passing through cover 100 of mixer 99 and being provided with a cock 113 that controls communication between pipe 112 and a supply pipe 114:, which is, in turn, connected to a suitable boiler or tank (not shown). Each cock 113 regulates the moisture supply of two alined mixers 99 and is provided with an arm 115 which is pivotally connected to a longitudinal rod 116. The latter receives intermittent reciprocativc movement. so that dnrin each reciprocation of rod 116. all coc {S 113 are once opened and closed.

Rod 116 is controlled by a regulator illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13. and receiving motion from a power shaft 117 hereinafter re ferred to, said shaft being supported with in suitable bearings 118 and 118. Upon shaft 117 is mounted a chain Wheel 119 which, by chain 120, transmits motion to a wheel 121 secured to the spindle 122. The latter is journaled in bearings 123 of a frame or casing 12% supported upon a bracket 125 of frame 416. Upon spindle 122 is rigidly mounted a worm 126 engaging a worm wheel 127 keyed to a shaft 128 which is also journaled in casing 12-1. The movement of shaft 128 is so timed that the shaft makes one complete rotation during the formation of each block. Shaft 128 carries a cam disk 129 having a raised cam section 130 which is adapted to be engaged by a cam roller 131 carried by one arm of a spring-influenced lever 132, said lever being fulcrumed at 133 to casing 124. The other arm or lever 132 is, by link 134 and bolt 135, adjustably connected to one arm of a bell crank 136 which is fulcrumed at 137 to a suitable standard 138. To the other arm of hell crank 136 is pivoted at 139one end of rod 116. The parts described are so dimensioned and timed, that during the completion of one block, shaft 128 makes one revolution. so that all cocks 113 are once opened during each rotation of shaft 1.28. 12? By varying the distance of screw 135 from fulcrum 137, the extent to which cocks 113 are opened may be readily adjusted, thereby regulating the amount of moisture admitted into the mixers 99.

After the material contained within each mixer 99 has been thoroughly moistened and agitated to form a uniform plastic mass, the latter is discharged into openings 54 of frame 46 hereinabove referred to. For this purpose, each mixer 99 is provided with a stationary bottom plate 140 having a pair of alined apertures 141 that register with one of the openings 54. Above plate 140 there is mounted a rotary gate 142 provided with a pair of diametrically opposed openings 143 made in the form of a quadrant and being adapted to communicate with apertures 141. During the mixing operation, apertures 141 are closed by the imperforatc sections of gate 142, While, in order to subsequently discharge the mixed and moistened mass, gate 142 is rotated through 90, so that openings 143 will registcr with apertures 141.

For operating gates 142, the latter are provided with beveled gear wheels 144 which are engaged by similar wheels 145. The latter receive intermittent rotary movement from a longitudinal shaft 146 rotatably mounted in bearings 147. To shafts 146 are rigidly secured a series of chain wheels 148 which transmit motion, by chains 149, to corresponding wheels 150 mounted upon relatively short spindles 151. Each of those spindles is journaled within a bearing 152 and carries at each end one of the bevel gear wheels 145 hereinabove referred to. Shaft 146 receives intermittent rotary movement from spindle 122 by means of a cam disk 153 secured to shaft 128. This disk is provided with a pair of raised sections 154 which are adapted to be engaged by the nose 155 of a spring-influenced lever 156 keyed to a pintle 157. The latter is journaled in bearings 158 of casing 124 and carries a forked shipping lever 159, the studs 166 of which engage a circumferential groove 161 of a movable clutch-member 162. Member 162 being connected to a spindle 122 by a groove and feather connection 163 is adapted to engage a relatively fixed clutch-member 164 keyed to shaft 146. It will be seen that during each rotation of shaft 128, shaft 146 will be coupled twice to the continuously rotating spindle 122. As the length of each bulge 154 of disk 153 is such that the gates 142 operated thereby made a quarter of a revolution during the engagement of such bulge with nose 155. it will be readily understood that the gate is first closed and then opened during the formation of each block, so as to permit a proper mixing and moistening of the ingredients, and a subsequent discharge of said ingredients into openings or chutes 54.

In order to effect an immediate arrest of shaft 146 after nose 155 clears one of the bulges 154, there is secured to said shaft 21 brake-disk 165. The latter is adapted to be engaged by the shoe 166 of a brake-lever 167 which is fuicrumed to a casing 124 as at 168. The upper arm of lever 167 is pivotally connected to a lever 156 as at 169, so that when movable clutch-member 162 is thrown into engagement with fixed member 164 shoe 166 is withdrawn from disk 165. As soon as nose 155 clears one of the bulges 154, lever 156 will be retracted by its spring, thereby throwing shoe 166 against disk 165 to stop its rotation.

The material intermittently discharged from mixers 99, in the manner described, descends by gravity through chutes 54, to enter the lower molds which are temporarily brought into vertical alinement with said chutes. Each of these lower molds comprises essentially a pair of L-shaped sections 170 provided with flanges 171, (Fig. 22). Molds 170 are received within corresponding apertures of a carrier 172, to the bottom of which they are secured by screws 173. In order to prevent the material from entering between parts 46 and 172, longitudinal rails 172 are provided which are countersunk in one part and slide in a corresponding groove of the other part.

Each of the mold units hereinabove referred to comprises two mold carriers, while, in turn, each carrier contains two molds 170. Carrier 172 is provided with a pair of transverse rails 174 which slidably engage corresponding guideways 175 of frames 46. The lower end of each mold 170 is closed by an oblong plunger 176 provided with an eX- changeable face plate 177. Plunger 176 has a depending stem 178 provided with an oblong cavity 179 which is closed at its bottom by plate 180. Into cavity 179 opens a pair of pipes 181 which may be used for the supply and discharge of steam if it is found necessary to heat plungers 176. Stem 178 is furnished at its lower end with a pair of opposed hooks or claws 182, for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

After the temporary contents of each mixer 99 have thus been conveyed into molds 170, carriers or feeding members 172 are moved outward, so as to bring said molds into vertical alinement with the compressing means. These means consist essentially of a lower toggle joint which is adapted to be operatively connected to plunger 176, and of an upper hydraulic plunger which is set in operation after the toggle joint has been straightened out, so as to afford a reliable bottom support during the final compression. as will be hereinafter more fully de scribed.

The means for reciprocating carriers 172 are as follows:

Power shaft 117, which receives rotary movement through pulleys 183, or otherwise, carries a toothed wheel 184 which meshes into a corresponding wheel 185 sepair of depending arms 192 tha't stra die: a squared block 193 which loosely embraces shaft 186. Arms 192 are connected at-their lower ends by a transverse plate 194, (Fig. 24). The upper section of yoke 191 is pro vided with a pair of horizontally alined recesses 195, each of said recesses accommodating a squared block 196. At their outer ends recesses 195 are closed by end plates 197. To each block 196 is fulcrumed by screw-bolt 198, the arm 199 of an elbow lever 199, 200 which is loosely mounted upon one end of a shaft 201. The latter is iner naled in suitable bearings 202 secured to bed plate 40. The arm 200 of each elbow lever is adjustably connected to a shipping lever 203 which is rigidly secured to shaft 201 by a key 201. The adjustable connection consists of a screw-bolt 205 passing through a perforation of lever 203 and engaging a corresponding slot 206 of a lever-arm 200. In order to permanently maintain belt 205 in its position after having been properly set, a pair of alined screws 207 are tapped into arm 200 which hear, from opposite directions, against bolt 205. At its other end shaft 201 is provided with a relatively fixed lever 208, as shown in Fig. 23. The upper forked ends of levers 203 and 208 are connected by links 209 to a pair of axially alined studs 210 of carriers 172. It will be seen that the continuous rotation of shaft 186 will cause a vertical reciprocation of yoke 191, which movement is insured-by the engagement of a pin 211, extending upwardly from said yoke, with a fixed bearing 212. The reciprocation of yoke 191 will, by oscillating levers 199, 200 and 203 result in a horizontal reciprocation of mold carriers 172, as will be readily understood.

While carriers 172, together 'withitheir charged molds 170, are moved outward, in the manner described, the hooks 1820f each plunger 176 enter a circumferentialgroove 213 of a piston 214 guided in 3. correspond ing bore of a casting 215 that forms part of bearing 202. To the lower end of each piston 214. is fulcrumed the upper forked end of an upper toggle bar 216, the lower end of which is pivotally connected by pin 217 to the lower toggle bar 218. The lower end of bar 218 is journaled in a suitable bearing 219 supported upon longitudinal beams 220 which are secured to the lower ends of posts 13. The pins 217 of the toggle joints are engaged bv the outer ends of links 221, the inner ends of which embrace the cranks 222 forming part of shafts Each shaft 223 is journaied in suitable bearings 224 and receives intermittent rotary motion from countershaft 186 hereinabove referred to. For this purpose shaft 186 is provided (for each mold-unit) with a mutilated gear wheel 225 comprising a. pair of toothed sections 226 ands? pair ofintervening blank sections 227, (Figs. 23 and 26). Gear wheel 225 is adapted to engage a mutilated pinion 228 fast on shaft 223, said pinion having a pair of toothed sections 228*" and a pair of intervening concave sections 228", the curvature of which equals that of sections In this way, during each rotation of shaft 186, shaft 2 3 makes two intermittent partial rotations. The relative diameters of wheels 225, 228, and the lengths of their toothed sectionsare such that'duringea'ch complete rotation of shaft 186, one complete rotation is imparted toshaft 223. /Vhile shaft 223 is at rest, it is locked against accidental move ment by the engagement of concave sections 228 with convex sections 227.

The above movement of shaft 223 is so timed. that while carriers 172 move outward. toggles 216, 218 are in their collapsed posh tion, (Flgs. 2 and 3), so that hooks 182 of plungers 175 are free to enter grooves 213 of pistons 214 In the outward position of the carriers the lower-molds 170 are verti cally alined with stationary upper molds seated within openings 55 of frame or mold table 46. Each upper mold comprises cssentially an oblong frame 229, the flange 230 of which rests upon the top of frame 46, to which it is secured by screws or other wise. Frame 229 is provided with an ob long opening 231 and with a pair of sh0ulders 232. Within opening 231 is received a mold proper which is preferably composed of two pairs of parallel plates 233, 234 which are connected by screws, as illus trated in Fig. 19. Plates 234 are provided with transverse ribs 235 that engage shoulder 232, while suitable clamping bars 236, which engage the top of ribs 235, prevent an accidental disengagement of molds 233, 23 1 fromframe 229 Within the upper molds 233, 234 are slidably mounted hydraulically actuated plungers 237 which are provided with lower exchangeable face plates 238i Eachplun'ger'237 has a central cavity 239 which isclosed at the top bv a cover 240. Into'cavity 239 open a pair of pipes 241 that may be used for the admission and discharge of a suitable heating medium. At its upper end plunger 237 is provided with a pair of opposed hooks 242 adapted to engage a corresponding circumferential groove 243 of the depending stein 24 1 of a hydraulic piston or ram 245. A

; leather uitab tray & ferlwd at he top of p nger 237 receives any drippings resulting from leakage of the hydraulic device. Pistoo 245 plays Within a bell-shaped copper lined cylinder 217 which is fitted into a corresponding bore 248 of top frame 58. Cylinder 2517 is closed at its bottom by a plate 249 having a central perforation for accommodating stem 2 14, such perforation permitting also the entrance and discharge of atmospheric air during the play of the p ston. The latter is provided at its top with a plate 250, between which and piston 245 there is confined the usual U-shaped asket 251. The pressure liquid is admitte into cylinder 247 through a pipe 252, said pipe communicating with the interior of the cylinder.

As the hydraulic device does not form part of the present invention, it is shown only diagrammatically in Figs. 28, 29 and 30, and its description may accordingly be abbreviated. The pipes 252 of each moldunit are connected to a branch 254 of a main pipe 255, communication between the end of plunger 265 which plays within cylinder 263 carries a piston (not shown) which is received Within the lower or steam cylinder 266 of intensifier 264. The admis sion of steam into cylinder 266 is controlled by an inlet valve 267 connected to a suitable steam Supply (not shown). Spindle 268 of valve 267 is operated from countershaft 186 by means of a cam disk 269 rigidly secured to Said shaft and having a groove 270. The latter is engaged by a. roller 271 carried by the lower end of a vertically reciprocative rod 272 having'an eye 273 that embraces shaft 186. At its upper end rod 272 is guided in a correspondin fixed bearing 274. To rod 272 is pivotalfy corniected one end of a two-arm lever 275 fulordmed at 276 to bed-plate 40. The other end of lever 275 is, by link 277, connected to a lever 278 which is fulcrumed at 279 to a link 280 hinged to the casing of valve 267. To lever 278 is pivotally connected at 281 valve spindle 268, so that during each rotation of shaft 186 valve 267 will be once opened and closed.

Valve 258, hereinabove referred to, is also operated from eountershaft 186, for which purpose the latter is provided with a relatively fixed cam 282, the periphery of which is engaged by a cam roller 283 carried by a red 28 1, the lower forked end of which straddles a squared'hlock 285 loosely fitted upon Shaft 186. The upper forked end of rod 284: is hinged at 287 to a lever 286 which is fulcrumed at 289 to an inverted U- shapcd support 290 upon which valve 258 is mounted. Lever 286 is, at 291, operatively connected to the spindle 292 of valve 238, so that during each rotation of shaft 186, valve 258 will once opened and closed.

The piping 29?, for starting the hydraulic device and for replenishing the water has been incorporated in the drawings to illustrate a complete and operative plant, but as this device does not form part of the present invention, its description is deemed unnecessary.

During the compression of the plastic mass through plungers 176 and 237, the mold carriers 172 are locked in position by pins 294 screwed into arms 295 which project outwardly from stems 178. These pins are guided in perforations 296 of brackets 297 which are firmly attached to carriers 172. Pins 294 enter corresponding perforations 46* of frame 46 when the plungers 176 ascend.

F or receiving the compressed bricks 298 from the upper molds, there are slidably mounted in corresponding apertures of brackets 297, the stems 299 of vertically reciprocative delivery tables or supports 300. Each stem 299 is provided With a longitudinal rack 361 which is engaged by a toothed sector 302, accommodated within a slot 303 of bracket 297. The two sectors 302 of each mold carrier 172 are secured to a spindle 30d journaled within brackets 297. Upon each spindle 304 there is rigidly mounted a serrated sector 305 which is adapted to be engaged by a spring-influenced pawl 306. The latter is pivotally connected to one of the brackets297 and has a depending arm 307, in the path of which is arranged a stationary abutment 308 secured to the machine frame in any suitable manner. Upon spindle 304 is further rigidly mounted an arm 309, while a spring 316 coiled around said spindle and secured to bracket 297 and arm 309, respectively, tends to rotate spindie 304 in such a dlrection that tables 300 and arm 309 are brought into their raised position.

During the outward movement of carriers 172,. each stem 299 is accommodated within a corresponding slot 311 formed between a pair of rallel rails 3112 upon which the finished rick 298 is transferred from table 300. Rails 312 form part of a suitable frame 313, two adjoining frames 313 being connected by 3, cm bar 314. The latter is provided with an butment 315 which is adapted to be engaged by an arm 309. The width of table 300 is. slightly less than that of slot 

